Ex-Formula 1 driver turned pundit Martin Brundle has revealed that Max Verstappen was subjected to boos last weekend at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a reception he’s received multiple times in 2023.
Brundle shared that the three-time World Champion was booed by those in attendance at the Yas Marina Circuit when he went to the traditional drivers group photo, which is taken at the end of every campaign.
Verstappen typically has a lot of supporters at the Abu Dhabi GP, has hundreds of Dutch fans have made the trip over recent years.
The poor reception he received does, as mentioned, happen occasionally, with him having been booed and jeered very loudly after winning the United States Grand Prix.
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On that occasion in the latter stages of the recently completed season, the booing came from supporters of Sergio Perez, who’d made the relatively short trip from Mexico to Austin, Texas.
“Max didn’t get everything right, for example when the drivers walked out to the grid for the traditional end of season group photograph there were some boos as he emerged, as we’ve heard at some other tracks too,” Brundle wrote in his Sky Sports column after the season finale.
Whilst it’s a disappointing reception to receive, being booed and jeered just doesn’t seem to bother Verstappen, as proven by the fact that he was victorious at the Yas Marina Circuit.
The 26-year-old won the final round of the year by almost 18 seconds, in what was a perfect way to secure his 19th win of 2023.
He’s been accused of making F1 boring because he’s been so dominant, claims he’s labelled as being effectively rubbish.
Nobody can dismiss the fact that Verstappen has been sensational this year, with him having broken countless records.
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Verstappen in 2023 shattered the records for most wins in a season (19), most consecutive wins (10), most points scored (575) and highest percentage of wins in a campaign (86.4 per cent).
The last of those records had been held by Alberto Ascari since 1952, with Verstappen having finally eclipsed it.
He undoubtedly deserves a holiday after the season he’s had; however, he won’t have long given that the 2024 season-opener in Bahrain starts at the end of February.